Government`s credibility at its "lowest": CAG

Hyderabad: Observing that the country was
facing a "testing time" in its history, Comptroller and
Auditor General(CAG) Vinod Rai on Tuesday said the credibility of
the government is at its "lowest" and that decision making has
become a "casualty".

Making a strong statement, Rai said governance is at its
"lowest ebb" and its quality "below par".
The Government auditor also voiced concern at the
integrity and professionalism of service officers coming under
question.

"The governance is at its lowest ebb. The morale of the
civil servant is low. The credibility of the government is at
its lowest. It?s a strong statement but it is harsh reality.
And hence because of all this the decision making has become a
casualty," said Rai who has given audit reports coming down
heavily on Union government departments,

The CAG made these remarks while delivering the 26th
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial lecture at the National
Police Academy here.
"Today, we are facing a testing time in the history of
our Nation. The quality of governance is below par and subject
to severe criticism. There has been an erosion of people?s
faith in government. Their confidence in public institutions
has declined. National trust in bureaucracy including
the Police force has collapsed. The integrity and
professionalism of the Civil Servants are being questioned,"
he added.

He wanted officials of various wings of All India
services to take upon themselves the responsibility to help
their service regain its past glory and restore the faith of
citizens in civil servants.

"While some officers allowed themselves to be used, some
other upright officers stood their ground preventing offences
of commission. That’s where we need to be standing and
counted," he said.